Ruger Predator 223 build done (of course there are pics!)

wayupnorth

wayupnorth

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
8   0   0
Location
Northern Alberta
Ruger Predator 223.

almost a year ago i got an idea to build a nice 223 bolt action gun for plinking, punching holes in paper and smacking gophers.
i talked over the idea with my dad (who lives 1000km away) and we decided to both try to build a inexpensive 223 bolt gun and compare them once done.

i had a thread up about the competition we had, its buried here somewhere on the forums.

long story short the old man went with a Vanguard in 223 and i went with the ruger.

lots of other projects came and went and my build kept on getting pushed off.
i had picked up the gun but it took me near 6 months to put some glass on it.
i had initially made a list of the stuff i wanted to do to the gun and what i wanted it too look like when i was done.
well, today i finally put it all together.

went with the Ruger American Predator in 223 (ran me $499.99)
added a oversized tactical bolt onto it ($55)
added a ruger butt stock pad (nice and comfy - $19.99)
slapped on some rings (took a couple ones to find the right height - $20)
and some Cabela's Pine Ridge optics (i think its a 6x18x50 - $210)
cheapest brake i could find purely for aesthetics ($50)

lazer bore sighted it in tonight and its ready for the range.

what the gun lacks in fit and finish compared to the Vanguard it makes up for in add on accessories!
now to see if it will out-shoot the old mans build!

im kinda excited to see what the gun will do, also really excited to go out and snipe some gophers this summer!

i also picked up some 223 reloading dies and some brass so i can roll some custom loads for it.

2CBFF2B0-6374-44DB-94F9-625C82B51DCD_zpskluqqryd.jpg

3CF38674-3B97-4D69-A09B-EDC31F248967_zpsjgejlxdq.jpg

FE427883-551E-46C8-9A9B-7F0D6F2EFCB4_zpsdvgihv4i.jpg

D93370CF-4889-4248-B0FE-227008A6D32E_zpsl9xayqhl.jpg


for comparison here is the old mans build.

09614E6A-82BF-49BD-8DB5-9219CA4C7ADA_zps9daanyzz.jpg
 
Looking forward to seeing the outcome. I have a feeling your pa may have a slight edge in the accuracy dept. never seen a vanguard that won't shoot.
 
Looks good.

I did a similar .223 build used the same brake, ended up removing it as it increased the report and punished other shooters to the side. My ex-army buddy commented it was a poor design that made the enjoyable to shoot .223 something he did not like to shoot anymore. Love the oversize bolt knob as well.

I ended up going back to the thread protector on my 20" barrel.

Recoil is no different and I think it looks better on my rifle, which is just my truck gun for gophers and such.
Just my 2 cents.
 
Last edited:
Expendable Nate said:
where did you find a over seized bolt knob in Canada?
Click to expand...

i didnt, i got it out of the states.
company called Glades Armory makes them and ships internationally.
i picked one up for my RAR as well.
first time using those big tactical bolt nobs, they are kinda neat, im starting to like them more and more each time i shoot them.
 
dead meat said:
If your a south paw why in hell are you buying cheap right handed rifles? Spend some money and buy the proper equipment.:nest:
Click to expand...

because this was a cheap build.
if they made the Predator version in left i would have ordered one of those up, but alas they do not.

my 'nice guns' are all in left.
 
GIGGIDY said:
I'm curious as to why its your opinion that a rifle with an oversize bolt knob and muzzle break can only be a range gun?
Click to expand...

I personally seem to always get oversized knobs hung up on bush. Also that big brick of a brake would make it annoying to shoot unsupported. Just my 2c

Its a 223, recoil is nil. Why slap a brake on it? Piss of your hunting partners?
 
Nice!!

Question: were you and your dad on the same budget or does "inexpensive" mean something different for him than for you?
 
Canadiankeeper said:
I personally seem to always get oversized knobs hung up on bush. Also that big brick of a brake would make it annoying to shoot unsupported. Just my 2c

Its a 223, recoil is nil. Why slap a brake on it? Piss of your hunting partners?
Click to expand...

But over sized bolt knobs also make it easier to grab and manipulate the bolt for quick follow up shots on additional animals. On my .223 Ruger American Ranch the recoil is minimal, but not non-existent. I put a quality, effective break on it to give me the best chance of seeing my hits, and more importantly misses, on small targets at distance as possible. Plus as the OP stated, it looks kinda cool. :d

Having a break on it does make it more uncomfortable for other shooters, something more likely to be encountered at the range rather than out in the field.

I was simply curious as to your line of thinking is all. Each to their own :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom